Article dispensing module

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to an article dispensing module having a plurality of pivotally mounted shelves, one above the other, and means for latching the shelves in an article storing position. A nugger bar having trip fingers rotatably mounted thereon is positioned to release said shelves, one at a time, to an article dispensing position in ascending order in response to an operating means.

United States Patent Inventor Francis A. Wittern 1616 Cassidy, DesMolnes, Iowa Appl. No. 829,076 Filed May 29, 1969 Patented June 29, 1971ARTICLE DISPENSING MODULE 12 Claims, 16 Drawing Figs.

U.S. 221/90, 221/89, 221/93 Int. Cl. G071 11/06, 0071 1 H48 FieldoiSeerch 221/90, 92, 89, 93, 15

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,161,319 12/1964 Holsteinet a1. 22l/90X 3.409.171 11/1968 Offutt 221/90 3,446,396 5/1969 Gasielet a1. 221/90 Primary ExaminerDavid M. Bockenek Attorney-Henderson andStrom ABSTRACT: This invention relates to an article dispensing modulehaving a plurality of pivotally mounted shelves, one above the other,and means for latching the shelves in an article storing position. Anugger bar having trip fingers rotatably mounted thereon is positionedto release said shelves, one at a time, to an article dispensingposition in ascending order in response to an operating means.

PATENTED JUH29 IBYI SHEET 1 UF 3 PATENTEuJunzeesn 3589.556

- sum 2 0F 3 ARTICLE DISPENSING MODULE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates to an article dispensing module in which articles arestored on vertically aligned shelves and dispensed in ascending orderand one at a time.

In recent years, vending machines of all types have enjoyed considerablecommercial success. A number of candy vending machines, or portionsthereof, have recently been patented. These patents include Schuller,US. Pat. No. 3,384,226; DeShon, U.S. Pat. No. 3,252,616; Katz, US. Pat.No. 3,126,124; Stayton, US. Pat. No. 2,956,707; and Holstein, U.S. Pat.No. 2,896,817.

Manufacturers of vending machines have attempted to increase capacity ofvending machines without increasing the height of a vending module orstack. They have also attempted to simplify the construction of thesevending machines while, at the same time, rendering these machines morereliable and less subject to breakdown. Although improvements in vendingmachine construction have been made, the basic problems outlined aboveare still important and pressing problems for vending machinemanufacturers.

The article dispensing module of this invention represents importantimprovements which, at least partially, alleviate the above describedproblems. The article dispensing module of this invention is simple inconstruction, durable and dependable, and maximizes capacity whileminimizing height of the dispensing module.

SUMMARY OFTHE INVENTION This invention relates to an article dispensingmodule comprising a plurality of shelves disposed one above the other; aframe means having a backwall with at least one aperture for each shelfformed therethrough; and mounting means for pivotally mounting theshelves to said frame means. Latching lugs, one for each shelf, areformed on the backwall and extend into the apertures and mate with alatching arm affixed to each shelf, thereby holding the shelves inarticle storing positions. Retaining means are also affixed to eachshelf and extend through the apertures in the backwall. A nugger bar,having a series of trip fingers rotatably mounted thereon, is attachedto the backwall for reciprocal movement in parallel relation to thebackwall and is raised and lowered by an operating means. The retainingmeans of the shelves, when in article storing positions, maintain thetrip fingers, next thereabove, in aligned relation with the nugger barwhile spring means urge the trip fingers to a latch release position.When the nugger bar is raised with a trip finger in a latch releaseposition, that trip finger releases the shelf next thereabove to anarticle dispensing position thereby releasing the trip finger above thereleased shelf to attain a latch release position.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved articledispensing module for use in coin operated vending machines whichcomprises a series of vertically spaced apart, article storing shelvespivotally attached at one end thereof to a frame means, means forlatching the shelves in article storing positions, and means forreleasing the shelves to an article dispensing position in ascendingorder with an operating means.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simplified, yetreliable, apparatus for releasing the shelves in ascending order.

Yet another object is to provide an article dispensing module havingmaximum storage in a minimum of space.

A further object is to provide an article dispensing module of the typedescribed wherein the shelves can readily be returned to their articleretaining position and latched into position.

Another object of this invention is to provide an article dispensingmodule ofsimplified construction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofa candymachine employing a plurality of the article dispensing modules of thisinvention.

FIG. 2 is a slightly enlarged perspective view of the article dispensingmodule. FIG. 3 is an enlarged top view of the module shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the module of FIG. 3 taken along theline44ofFlG.3.

FIG. 5 is a side view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating the method ofreturning the shelves to their article storing positions.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the article dispensingmodule taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is an abbreviated and enlarged cross-sectional view taken alongthe line 77 ofFIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an abbreviated and enlarged cross-sectional view taken alongthe line 8-8 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is an expanded view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a shelf as indicated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of a single trip finger.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line l3-l3 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the operating means in release position withthe end of the handle cut away.

FIG. 15 is an abbreviated view of the article dispensing means whereinthe first shelfis in a release position.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the operating means with the end of the handlecut away taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 15.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings,the article dispensing module is generally indicated at 11 in FIGS. 1,2, 4 and 5. The module 11 is comprised ofa plurality of shelves 12(FIGS. 6, 8 and 10) pivotally mounted by mounting means 13 FIGS. 7 and8) to a frame means 14 (FIGS. 4 and 7) having apertures 16 formedtherein. Latching lugs 17 extending into the apertures 16 are providedon frame means 14 to mate with latching arms 18 affixed to shelves l2.Retaining means 19 (FIGS. 6 and 8) are affixed to each shelf 12 andextend through an aperture 16 in the frame means 14. A nugger bar 21(Fig. 9) is reciprocally attached to the frame means 14 and operablewith operating means 22 (FIGS. 14- 16). A plurality of trip fingers 23(FIGS. 8 and 9) are rotatably mounted on the nugger bar 21 and are urgedtoward a latch release position by spring means 24.

More specifically, the frame means 14 (FIGS. 4, 6 and 7) is comprised ofa backwall 26, two sidewalls 27 and 28 connected to the backwall 26 andextending forwardly and perpendicularly of said backwall 26, and a top29 adjoined to said backwall 26 and said sidewalls 27 and 28. Aplurality of apertures 16, at least one aperture 16 for each shelf 12,are formed through the backwall 26.

A side panel 31 (FIGS. 4-7) is riveted, or otherwise attached, to onesidewall 28. The side panel 31 extends forwardly of the frame means 14and the shelves 12 and along one side of the shelves 12. A front panel32 is rotatably attached to the side panel 31 at the front edge 33 ofthe side panel 31. The front panel 32 can be opened outwardly to fillthe module 11 and can, thereafter, be closed and locked in place. Theside panel 31 and the front panel 32 prevent articles from being joltedoff the shelves 12 in response to jolting or otherwise abusing a machine34 containing the modules 11 (FIG. 1).

Attached to the side panel 31 is resetting means 36 for resetting thelowermost shelf 37 in article storing position and locking means 38(FIGS. 2 and 16) for locking the operating means 22 when the uppermostshelf 39 is in article dispensing position. Resetting means 36 (FIGS. 4and 5) is comprised ofa rod 41 having a hooked end 42 and a handle 43attached to the side panel 31 as shown in FIG. 5. The rod 41 is disposedobliquely ofthe backwall 26 and the hooked end 42 is engageable with thelowermost shelf 37 when that shelf 37 is in an M ticle dispensingposition. The rod 41 can then be pulled outwardly by the handle 43 tomove the lowermost shelf 37 to an article storing position. Theremainder of the shelves 12 can be moved to article storing positionmanually as shown in FIG. 5. The resetting means 36 is utilized tominimize the total height ofthe machine 34 yet facilitate returning theshelves 12 to an article storing position.

The locking means 38 (FIGS. 2 and 16) is also attached to the side panel32 and comprises an arm 44 having a bifurcated lower end 46 aligned withthe operating means 22 and connected to the uppermost shelf 39. When theuppermost shelf 39 is in its article retaining position, the arm 44 isheld above the operating means 22. However, when the uppermost shelf 39is released, arm 44 is also released. The bifurcated end 46 of the arm44 drops over the operating means 22 and secures it in position andrenders the module 11 inoperative until the shelves 12 are reset inarticle storing position.

The sidewalls 27 and 28 ofthe frame means 14 are normally verticallydisposed and have a series of mounting holes 47 punched therein. Becauseof the punching process, the inside surfaces of the sidewalls 27 and 28are pushed inwardly as shown best in FIG. 7. Opposite mounting holes 47are horizontally aligned to provide a mounting for horizontal mountingbar 48.

The backwall 26 has a plurality of apertures 16 formed therethrough. Asshown in FIGS. 7, 9 and 15, two apertures are generally formed throughthe backwall 26 for each shelf 14. One aperture 16a (FIG. 7) is formedalong one edge 49 of the backwall 26 and allows the retaining means 19to project therethrough while the other aperture 161) is provided forthe latching arm 18 to project therethrough.

Latching lugs 17 are formed in each of the apertures 16b. The latchinglugs 17, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, are formed as a part of the backwall26 and extend upwardly into the aperture 16b. The bottom portion of thelatching lug 17 is generally and preferably attached to the backwall 26at the lowermost portion of the aperture 16h. The height of the latchinglug 17 is not critical; however, a very short lug 17 may result inaccidental release of the shelves 12 and a very long lug l7 renders theshelves 12 difficult to release.

Several slots 51 (FIG. 7) are also formed through the backwall 26 toprovide means for reciprocally mounting the nugger bar 21. The slots 51are preferably disposed between the apertures 16a and 16b to facilitatemounting ofthe nugger bar 21 vertically between the retaining means 19and the latching arms 18. The top 29 (FIG. 3) is rigidly affixed to thebackwall 26 and the sidewalls 27 and 28. A mounting bracket 52 is formedas a part ofthe top 29 and is utilized to secure the module 11 in themachine 34. Two wire retaining openings (not shown) are formed throughthe top 29 and secure the wires 53 and 54 (FIGS. 3 and 7) in position.The wires 53 and 54 extend in parallel relation to the backwall 26 andprevent the articles carried by the shelves 12 from sliding backwardlyon the shelf 12 and jamming the dispensing mechanism. The wires 53 and54 are secured to the frame means 14 below the lowermost shelf 37 in thesame manner as they are secured to the top 29.

A spring retaining hook 56 (FIG. is affixed to the lowermost portionofthe backwall 26 on the side ofthe backwall 26 opposite the shelves 12.A second spring means 57 is attached between the nugger bar 21 and thebook 56 and urges the nugger bar 21 downwardly after the nugger bar 21is raised by operating means 22.

A plurality of shelves 12 are disposed one above the other and arepivotally mounted on the sidewalls 27 and 28 of the frame means 14. Eachshelf 12 comprises a flat surface 58 (FIGS. 6 and 10) or plane with tworibs 59 and 61 formed longitudinally thereon to add strength to theshelf 12. Downwardly extending flanges 62 and 63 are formed at one end64 of the shelf 12 for mounting the shelf 12 to the frame means 14.Mounting holes 66 are formed in the flanges 62 and 63 and are alignablewith mounting holes 47.

Mounting bar 48 which is the mounting means 13 is then passed throughthe holes 47 in the sidewalls 28 and 29 and the holes 66 in the flanges62 and 63 to pivotally mount the shelves 12. The shelves 12 can thenpivot between an article retaining position which, as shown in FIG. 4,is substantially horizontal and an article dispensing position which issubstantially vertical. The mounting bar 48 has a head 67 (FIG. 7) onone end thereof. The bar 48 is inserted first through sidewall 27. Thebars 48 are retained in position by attaching the side panel 31 by sheetmetal screws 68 or rivets to the sidewall 28.

The latching arms 18 (FIGS. 6 and 10) are formed as an integral part ofthe shelves 12 and are formed from a resilient material, generallymetal. The latching arms 18 are generally an extension ofthe shelves l2and are centrally located on the mounting ends 64 of the shelves 12. Thelatching arms 18 are preferably inclined downwardly of the plane 58 ofthe shelves 12 and have a notch 71 formed in each arm 18 which mateswith the latching lugs 17. As shown in FIG. 10, the latching arm 18 hasa first bend 72 and a second bend 73 to attain the downward inclination.

The retaining means 19 (FIGS. 8 and 10) is also formed as an integralpart of the shelf 12 and is of arcuate configuration to preventinadvertentjamming of the module 11. The rib 59 formed on the shelf 12continues onto retaining means 19 to add strength thereto. The retainingmeans 19 is disposed above and concavely ofthe shelf 12 as shown in FIG.8. FIG. 9 illustrates how the retaining means 19 maintains the tripfingers 23 in aligned relation with the nugger bar 21 until the shelf 12directly below the trip finger 23 is released.

Slots 74 and 76 (FIGS. 6 and 10) are formed on opposite sides ofthelatching arms 18 and allow wires 53 and 54 to ex tend in parallelrelation to the backwall 26. When the shelf 12 is in an article storingposition, the slots 74 and 76 extend from the mounting end 64 of theshelf 12 forwardly of the wires 53 and 54. The slots 74 and 76 renderthe latching arms 18 more flexible and more readily latchable andreleasable.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a nugger bar 21 is attached to the backwall26 for reciprocal movement in parallel relation to the backwall 26. Thenugger bar 21 is ofelongate, rectangular configuration and is attachedto the backwall 26 by screws 77 threaded into tapped holes 78 in thenugger bar 21. The screws 77 are positioned through slots 51 and theslots 51, therefore, regulate the maximum distance that the nugger bar21 can be moved upwardly.

The nugger bar 21 is preferably attached to the side 79 of the backwall26 opposite the shelves 12 and is vertically disposed between thelatching arms 18 and the retaining means 19 as is best shown in FIGS. 9.

A first finger 81 (FIG. 15) is attached to the lower end of the nuggerbar 21 by screws 82. The first finger 81 has a spring affixing member 83formed on one side 84 and an inverted L- shaped member 86 formed on oneside 87. The second spring means 57 is preferably affixed to the springaffixing member 83 rather than directly to the nugger bar 21 as shown inFIG. 15.

The first finger 81 is rigidly attached to the nugger bar 21 and is sopositioned that when the nugger bar is raised, the first finger 81 willrelease the latching arm 18 of the lowermost shelf 37. A rotatable tripfinger 23 could be utilized as the first finger 81, however, otherprovisions would then be necessary to replace members 83 and 84.

A plurality oftrip fingers 23 (FIGS. 9, 11-13) are rotatably mounted onthe nugger bar 21 and are so positioned as to release the shelf 12 nextthereabove when in a latch release position out of alignment with thenugger bar 21. Each trip finger 23 is comprised of a central body 88rotatably mounted on the nugger 21, a first member 89 affixed to thecentral body 88 and extending downwardly, and a second member 91 affixedto the central body 88 and extending upwardly. Spring affixing books 92of arcuate configuration are attached to the central body 88 and projectoutwardly of the nugger bar 21.

When the trip fingers 23 are in the normal, aligned position with theshelves 12 in article storing position, the outer edge 93 ofthe firstmember 89 is superposed with one vertical edge 94 of the nugger bar 21and retained in this position by retaining means 19. The first member 89should be long enough to extend downwardly beyond the retaining means 19of the shelf 12 next therebelow to minimize accidental release of thetrip finger 23.

The second member 91, when in the normal aligned position, has its outeredges positioned between the vertical edges 94!- and 95 of the nuggerbar 21. The trip finger 23 is so positioned that the second member 91,when the nugger bar 21 is raised with the trip finger 23 in latchrelease position, is vertically aligned with the latching arm 18 of theshelf 12 next thereabove and will raise the latching arm 18 above thelatching lug 17 thereby releasing the shelf 12 to an article dispensingposition.

. The latch release position is demonstrated in FIG. 9 and is attainedby a trip finger 23 when the shelf 12 next therebelow is released.Spring means 24, represented by coiled springs 96, are attached betweentrip fingers 23 and urge the trip fingers 23 toward the latch releaseposition and out of alignment with the nugger bar 21.

The first member 89 and the second member 91 are both bent outwardly ofthe nugger bar 21 as shown in FIG. 12. This slight outward curvaturereduces frictional drag between the trip fingers 23 and the nugger bar21 and, thereby minimizes malfunction of the module 11.

The nugger bar 21 is raised by operating means 22 (FIGS. 14ll6). Theoperating means 22 comprises a cam 97 abutting the inverted L-shapedmember 86 of the first finger 81 and a handle 98. The cam 97 isrotatably mounted on a projecting ear 99 of the frame means 14 by pin100. The lower end 101 'of the cam 97 is provided with a handle affixingknob 102. As the lower end 101 of the cam 97 is pulled toward the frontof the module 11 by the handle 98, the upper portion 103 of the cam 97raises the nugger bar 21.

The handle 98 extends from the handle affixing knob 102 of the cam 97 tothe front of the machine 34 and can be pulled outwardly to release anarticle from shelf 12. One end 104 of the handle 98 (FIGS. 14 and I6) isnotched to receive handle affixing knob 102. A second notch 106 isformed forwardly thereof to receive the bifurcated end 46 of arm 44 whenthe module 11 is empty. The other end 107 of the handle 98 extendsoutwardly of the machine 34 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and can be grasped andpulled to release articles from the machine 34. The handle 98 is usuallylocked until coins activate a coin mechanism (not shown).

OPERATION This module 11 is built primarily for use in candy machines 34although it can be used in any type of article dispensing machine. Tofill the machine, the front panel 32 is opened, and the shelves 12 resetin article storing position by using the resetting means 36 asaforedescribed. One article 108 (FIG. 4) is placed on each shelf 12 andthe front panel 32 is closed and locked.

The handle 98 is generally locked until activated by a coin mechanism(not shown). When activated, the handle 98 can be manually pulledoutwardly thus raising the nugger bar 21 and releasing the lowermostshelf 37 to an article dispensing position. The article 108 contained onthat shelf 37 is dispensed from the machine 34 through opening 109 (FIG.1). This method of dispensing continues until the module 11 is empty atwhich time the handle 98 is locked by locking means 38.

Although a preferred embodiment has been described, it is to beremembered that various modifications may be made without departing fromthe invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

l. An article dispensing module adapted to store and dispense articlescomprising:

a plurality of shelves disposed one above the other;

frame means having a backwall, said backwall having a plurality ofapertures, at least one aperture for each shelf, formed therethrough;

latching lugs, one for each shelf, formed on said backwall and extendinginto said apertures; =1

mounting means pivotally mounting said shelves proximate one end thereofto said frame means and allowing said shelves to pivot between anarticle storing position and an article dispensing position;

a latching arm formed from resilient material affixed to each shelf andextending through one of said apertures in said backwall, said latchingarms mating with said latching lugs and, thereby. maintaining saidshelves in an article storing position;

retaining means affixed to each shelf, except the top shelf, andextending through one of said apertures in said backwall;

a nugger bar attached to the backwall for reciprocal, and generallyvertical, movement in parallel relation to the backwall;

operating means for raising and lowering said nugger bar;

a first finger attached to said nugger bar and positioned to releasesaid latching arm of the lowermost shelf from said latching lug whensaid nugger bar is raised;

a plurality of trip fingers rotatably mounted on said nugger bar andnormally maintained in alignment with said nugger bar by said retainingmeans of the shelf next therebelow, said trip fingers, when in latchrelease position, positioned to release said latching arm of the shelfnext thereabove from said latching lug when said nugger bar is raised;

spring means biasing said trip fingers toward a latch release positionout of alignment with said nugger bar;

whereby, when said nugger bar is raised with a trip finger in a latchrelease position, said trip finger releases said shelf next thereaboveto an article dispensing position and, on return of the nugger bar toits original position, allows the next ascending trip finger to attainsaid latch release positron.

2. The article dispensing module of claim 1 wherein said latching lugsare formed on said backwall and extend upwardly in said apertures; and

said latching arms are formed as an integral portion of said shelves,said latching arms having notches formed therein which mate over saidlatching lugs.

3. The article dispensing module of claim 2 wherein said latching armsare inclined downwardly of the plane of the shelves.

4. The article dispensing module of claim 2 wherein the trip fingers arecomprised of:

a central body rotatably mounted on said nugger bar;

a first member affixed to said central body, said first member extendingdownwardly adjacent said nugger bar and having its outer edge normallysuperposed with one vertical edge of said nugger bar;

a second member affixed to said central body, said second memberextending upwardly adjacent said nugger bar and having its outer edgesnormally positioned between the vertical edges of said nugger bar; and

spring affixing means mounted on said central body portion.

5. The article dispensing module of claim 4 wherein said retaining meansare formed as integral portions of each shelf and are of arcuateconfiguration; said retaining means being disposed above and concavelyof the plane of each shelf.

6. The article dispensing module of claim 5 wherein said nugger bar isof elongate, rectangular configuration and is attached to said backwallon the side opposite said shelves and is disposed between said latchingarms and said retaining means.

7. The article dispensing module of claim 6 wherein said latching armsare positioned at the mounting end of the shelves and are disposedcentrally of the shelf; and

said retaining means are positioned at the mounting end of the shelvesand are spaced apart'from said latching arms.

8. The article dispensing module of claim 7 wherein said operating meanscomprises:

a cam rotatably affixed to said frame means, said cam member contactingsaid nugget bar;

a handle connected to said cam member and capable of reciprocatingmovement;

whereby when said handle is pulled outwardly, said cam pushes saidnugger bar upwardly.

9. The article dispensing module of claim 8 wherein a second springmeans is attached to said nugger bar and to said frame means and urgessaid nugger bar downwardly.

10. The article dispensing module of claim 9 wherein said frame meanscomprises;

said backwall;

two sidewalls connected to said backwall and extending forwardly ofsaidbackwall;

means for resetting said lowermost shelf in article storing position;and

means for locking said operating means when the uppermost shelf isreleased to an article dispensing position.

11. The article dispensing module of claim 10 wherein at least one wireis vertically disposed forwardly of said mounting means and in parallelrelation to said backwall, said wire being positioned between saidsidewalls and attached to said frame means;

said shelves having slots formed therein, said slots extending fromforwardly of said wires to the mounting end of said shelves.

12. The article dispensing module of claim 11 wherein said spring meansare coiled springs, said springs being attached at the ends thereof tosaid spring affixing means mounted on ad- -jacent trip fingers.

1. An article dispensing module adapted to store and dispense articlescomprising: a plurality of shelves disposed one above the other; framemeans having a backwall, said backwall having a plurality of apertures,at least one aperture for each shelf, formed therethrough; latchinglugs, one for each shelf, formed on said backwall and extending intosaid apertures; mounting means pivotally mounting said shelves proximateone end thereof to said frame means and allowing said shelves to pivotbetween an article storing position and an article dispensing position;a latching arm formed from resilient material affixed to each shelf andextending through one of said apertures in said backwall, said latchingarms mating with said latching lugs and, thereby maintaining saidshelves in an article storing position; retaining means affixed to eachshelf, except the top shelf, and extending through one of said aperturesin said backwall; a nugger bar attached to the backwall for reciprocal,and generally vertical, movement in parallel relation to the backwall;operating means for raising and lowering said nugger bar; a first fingerattached to said nugger bar and positioned to release said latching armof the lowermost shelf from said latching lug when said nugger bar israised; a plurality of trip fingers rotatably mounted on said nugger barand normally maintained in alignment with said nugger bar by saidretaining means of the shelf next therebelow, said trip fingers, when inlatch release position, positioned to release said latching arm of theshelf next thereabove from said latching lug when said nugger bar israised; spring means biasing said trip fingers toward a latch releaseposition out of alignment with said nugger bar; whereby, when saidnugger bar is raised with a trip finger in a latch release position,said trip finger releases said shelf next thereabove to an articledispensing position and, on return of the nugger bar to its originalposition, allows the next ascending trip finger to attain said latchrelease position.
 2. The article dispensing module of claim 1 whereinsaid latching lugs are formed on said backwall and extend upwardly insaid apertures; and said latching arms are formed as an integral portionof said shelves, said latching arms having notches formed therein whichmate over said latching lugs.
 3. The article dispensing module of claim2 wherein said latching arms are inclined downwardly of the plane of theshelves.
 4. The article dispensing module of claim 2 wherein the tripfingers are comprised of: a central body rotatably mounted on saidnugger bar; a first member affixed to said central body, said firstmember extending downwardly adjacent said nugger bar and having itsouter edge normally superposed with one vertical edge of said nuggerbar; a second member affixed to said central body, said second memberextending upwardly adjacent said nugger bar and having its outer edgesnormally positioned between the vertical edges of said nugger bar; andspring affixing means mounted on said central body portion.
 5. Thearticle dispensing module oF claim 4 wherein said retaining means areformed as integral portions of each shelf and are of arcuateconfiguration; said retaining means being disposed above and concavelyof the plane of each shelf.
 6. The article dispensing module of claim 5wherein said nugger bar is of elongate, rectangular configuration and isattached to said backwall on the side opposite said shelves and isdisposed between said latching arms and said retaining means.
 7. Thearticle dispensing module of claim 6 wherein said latching arms arepositioned at the mounting end of the shelves and are disposed centrallyof the shelf; and said retaining means are positioned at the mountingend of the shelves and are spaced apart from said latching arms.
 8. Thearticle dispensing module of claim 7 wherein said operating meanscomprises: a cam rotatably affixed to said frame means, said cam membercontacting said nugger bar; a handle connected to said cam member andcapable of reciprocating movement; whereby when said handle is pulledoutwardly, said cam pushes said nugger bar upwardly.
 9. The articledispensing module of claim 8 wherein a second spring means is attachedto said nugger bar and to said frame means and urges said nugger bardownwardly.
 10. The article dispensing module of claim 9 wherein saidframe means comprises; said backwall; two sidewalls connected to saidbackwall and extending forwardly of said backwall; means for resettingsaid lowermost shelf in article storing position; and means for lockingsaid operating means when the uppermost shelf is released to an articledispensing position.
 11. The article dispensing module of claim 10wherein at least one wire is vertically disposed forwardly of saidmounting means and in parallel relation to said backwall, said wirebeing positioned between said sidewalls and attached to said framemeans; said shelves having slots formed therein, said slots extendingfrom forwardly of said wires to the mounting end of said shelves. Thearticle dispensing module of claim 11 wherein said spring means arecoiled springs, said springs being attached at the ends thereof to saidspring affixing means mounted on adjacent trip fingers.